Marisa Donovan, senior manager of outposts, Blue Star Families. –
Did you ever move to a new school where you were the new kid at lunch and had no one to sit with?
If so, you already understand why Blue Star Families’ Welcome Week matters.
Now, imagine doing that every two to three years, usually without any say in where you’re going, and with a spouse or parent facing a future deployment, strenuous field exercises, or long hours at work.
That is the reality faced by 600,000 military families every year.
At Blue Star Families, we believe every member of every military family should feel a sense of belonging.
That is why Blue Star Welcome Week (September 27–October 5, 2025) exists.
Our Welcome Week is a national campaign to build connections between military families and the communities they call home, whether they live there for six months or six years.
So, how do you get involved? This one is easy. Sign up for Blue Star Families’ free events, connect with local groups, post a welcome message on social media, or check out and share our resources.
Now is the time to do it!
If you are the “let me bake cookies and host a block party” type, we’ve got ideas for you.
If you’re more of a “click and share” person, you’re welcome too.
No matter where you are, there is a way for you to “Do Your Part” (that is what we call our nationwide campaign) and tell your military neighbors “we are glad you are here.” Check out our out our website for ideas and resources.
And if you’re a military family, it’s even easier! JOIN US. Find a local event you or join any virtual event we’ll be hosting that week.
There will even be some fun giveaways happening in our digital community which we call The Neighborhood!
That brings me to our support team on the ground: Blue Star Families Blue Star Families Craig Newmark Tri-State Chapter. This chapter supports military families across New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut through events, community partnerships, and resources that tackle everything from food insecurity to career development.
And if you live in, or near Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, you have a serious home-team advantage.
The Military Support Alliance of New Jersey (MSA-NJ) is a proud Blue Star Families Outpost, which means they are one of our trusted local partners working year-round to support local military and veteran families — especially at the Joint Base.
They will be hosting a Blue Star Welcome Week event, ensuring families feel welcomed and celebrated. You can check out the MSA-NJ website to check out what they are going to do.
MSA-NJ’s local leadership, deep community ties, and commitment to JBMDL families are exactly what make our outpost model so powerful.
We work with incredible 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6) organizations already doing good work in the local community — and give them the funding, national resources, and connections to do even more.
With 17 outposts across the country and more on the way, we’re building a grassroots movement powered by local passion and national muscle.
Together, the chapter and MSA-NJ are creating a wraparound support system for the military families at Joint Base MDL.
In short, it’s never been easier – and there have never been more resources – to make sure military families in New Jersey feel welcome, supported, and connected.
We just need YOU to join us and do your part, too.
Join us for Blue Star Welcome Week. Show up. Say hello. Sit with us. We’re excited to be here — and with your help, we’ll find our place.
We are inviting everyone — the general public, veterans, active-duty, Guard, Reserve, spouses, neighbors, businesses, and community leaders — to join us.
Because welcoming military families isn’t just the nice thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do.
Stronger communities mean a stronger all-volunteer force.
Marisa Donovan is the Senior Manager of Outposts at Blue Star Families and an active-duty Marine Corps spouse. She is passionate about building strong community connections and supporting military families like her own. When she’s not working, Marisa enjoys hiking, traveling, singing, and hosting unforgettable gatherings with friends and family.
